Motor Vehicle Door Lock Blocking Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door lock systems face challenges in combining electric opening with multi-ratchet mechanisms, particularly in achieving a compact and cost-effective design that allows for low-noise operation and prevents undefined locking states.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door lock design featuring a blocking element arranged on the edge of the pawl, interacting with both the pawl and the drive, which acts as a stop for the drive and ensures the pawl is held in a latching position, allowing for a compact and cost-effective structure that enables low-noise operation by decelerating the drive and maintaining defined locking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking element is arranged in an intermediate space between the pawl and rotary latch to prevent motor rotation during opening prevention, then the motor is protected from over-rotation, but the structure becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is merged with the pawl assembly, where the pawl itself serves as the blocking element during opening prevention. The pawl is rotated by the drive mechanism to block the rotary latch, eliminating the need for a separate blocking component in the intermediate space. This integration reduces structural complexity while maintaining motor protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the latching mechanism for securing the door and the blocking element during opening prevention. When the drive rotates the pawl, it simultaneously engages with the rotary latch to prevent motor over-rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated blocking components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a multi-pawl ratchet mechanism is implemented for low-noise operation, then noise is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl is pre-loaded by a spring mechanism to maintain constant contact with the rotary latch. This preliminary action ensures that the pawl is already positioned and pressed against the latch before the door closing motion begins, enabling smooth engagement without impact noise. The spring-loaded mechanism eliminates the need for complex multi-pawl systems while achieving low-noise operation.
3Ease of operation
If the pawl is designed to be automatically lifted by the opening rotary latch, then the opening process is simplified and quiet, but the structure requires more space and components
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl is designed with an asymmetric geometry where one end is thicker than the other. The thinner end engages with the rotary latch while the thicker end provides leverage for automatic lifting. When the rotary latch rotates during opening, it exerts a moment that automatically lifts the pawl due to its geometric design, eliminating the need for additional lifting components and reducing space requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) comprising substantially a rotary latch (1) and at least one pawl (2, 3). A drive (6 to 9) for acting on the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) is also provided. A blocking element (11) which interacts with the pawl (2, 3) has at least one pawl arm (11a) which holds the pawl (2, 3) in a latching position. Finally, a stop arm (11b) is realized on the blocking element (11) and/or on the pawl (2, 3) and/or on a release element, said stop arm acting as a stop for the drive (6 to 9). According to the invention, the blocking element (11) is arranged on an edge which is averted from the rotary latch and also so as to laterally overlap the pawl (2, 3).